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was glad he realized he had offended her vassal and was trying to mend matters. Still, she was very relieved when the good weather broke that night and Saturday was a day of pouring rain. They were all pent within the castle, which could and did lead to minor conflicts, especially among the younger men. Ian, however, had plenty of company and, from the bearing of the men who formed in groups around him, plenty to occupy his mind. |
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After dusk had fallen, a guest they had almost despaired of appeared, riding through the pouring rain. Alinor raised her eyes to heaven for help and prayedit did not seem appropriate to curse. Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester, had at last come, as he had promised, to perform the marriage. With him, however, he brought two more unexpected guests, William, Bishop of London, and Eustace, Bishop of Ely, and Alinor had to find some suitable place to put them. |
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"We will be the firmest-wed pair in the entire realm," Alinor said to Ian as they parted for the night for the last time. "Three bishops should surely be enough to tie fast the knot. Which one of us," she teased, "did they think would seek to undo it?" |
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He was standing in the doorway to the small chamber in which he slept. This night he did not argue or plead. Although he ate Alinor with his eyes, he said no more. The silence, the hot eyes, came close to undoing her. Alinor found herself several paces closer to Ian before she realized that she had moved. Still silent, he had stretched out a hand. It trembled just a little. Alinor stared at it. Even his hands were beautiful, she thought. They were slender and long-fingered. Alinor thought of their touch on her body, uttered a small gasp, and fled. |
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That night, half laughing, half crying, Alinor blamed herself for her amusement at Ian's torments. She did not sleep well. The next day, however, was much easier for everyone. By custom, the ladies remained apart from |
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